Commentary: On Second Thought - It's time for an intervention

Whatever your politics, you have to admire the 75 Marylanders who will serve as delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention next week.

At a time when a growing number of Americans are unwilling to so much as watch a few minutes of a political convention on free television, these people are taking time off of work, traveling more than 200 miles, booking hotel rooms ($299 per night at the recommended Park Central New York Hotel), and, most ominously, putting their very lives in jeopardy. If intelligence is correct that terrorists hope to disrupt our election, the Republican convention would seem to present a compelling target.

And why are they doing it?

It's certainly not for the opportunity to schmooze with celebrities. Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson and Bruce Willis have declined invitations to attend, leaving rapper-rocker Kid Rock as the biggest name scheduled to work the GOP social circuit, according to the New York Observer.

If they wanted to hobnob with the People magazine set, the Republicans should have faked it and attended the Democratic convention last month. Abandoning your beliefs is a small price to pay for the opportunity to debate geopolitics with Rob Reiner, who portrayed the indomitable ideologue Meathead on All in the Family, never mind the chance to banter about health care reform with U2 singer Bono and the ubiquitous Ben Affleck.

Maybe it's for the musical entertainment.

Two of the brightest lights in country music, Brooks & Dunn, the duo behind 25 No. 1 hits, including Boot Scootin' Boogie, and Lee Ann Womack are scheduled to perform inside the convention hall. And at nearby nightclubs during the week, legendary Southern rock bands Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Charlie Daniels Band will be performing.

But, then, people who live below the Mason-Dixon line, as we do, don't have to travel nearly as far as New York City to hear a hick anthem or two. Heck, Sweet Home Alabama sometimes seems to be the official Muzak of Maryland. In Birmingham they love the governor/Now we all did what we could do/Now Watergate does not bother me/Does your conscience bother you?/Tell the truth/Sweet home. -

Oh, sorry, what was I saying? I get caught up in that song every time. It's not every number that extols a racist (George Wallace) and a crook (Richard Nixon).

Yes, yes, why are Maryland Republicans going to the convention? It's certainly not because they're essential to the re-election of President Bush. With a little help from the Supreme Court, George W. won the White House despite being walloped in Maryland by Al Gore 57 percent to 40 percent.

Indeed, Maryland's top Republican, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., this week advised Bush to avoid Maryland altogether, saying a visit would be a waste of time because the state isn't competitive. Probably not the pep talk the state's outnumbered Republicans were looking for, but they've had to deal with worse.

For example, they hold just two of Maryland's 10 congressional seats, and the most competitive race this year appears to be for a seat held by one of those two Republicans. Having endured the indignity of being challenged by a member of his own party in the primary, seven-term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest is now facing a spirited challenge from Kostas Alexakis, who actually finished second in the Democrat primary but is now the standard bearer because the winner withdrew for health reasons. The smart money is on Gilchrest, but still - just two out of 10 seats?

Considering the circumstances, the 75 Marylanders could be forgiven for going to New York to beg for help. Hey, you gave Maryland's Alan Keyes to Illinois to run for Senate. We're not leaving until we get John McCain or Arnold Schwarzenegger.

But, of course, they're not going to look for a handout. They're going for the noblest reason of all: To stand up for their beliefs, to express their commitment with actions as well as words.

For me at least, these people showed up just in time. I've got a confession or two to make. I am a political junkie. For as long as I can remember, the addiction has fed glorious intellectual highs. But recently, the stuff - both locally and nationally - has gotten so toxic that I'm thinking of quitting.

In Maryland, our top officials are behaving like stubborn school children regarding the issue of slots. And our presidential debate has devolved into taunts about who did what and where more than 30 years ago.

Along come Maryland's 75, willing to commit so much of their time and money to participate in the democratic process. My faith is somewhat restored.

Mark R. Cheshire is editor in chief of The Daily Record. He can be reached at 410-752-3849 or mark.cheshire@mddailyrecord.com.

Note to Readers

The Daily Record welcomes letters to the editor and unsolicited columns regarding business, law and politics in Maryland. Submissions must include your name, address and phone number. Send to Editor; 11 East Saratoga Street; Baltimore, MD 21202; or to mark.cheshire@mddailyrecord.com.

MARYLAND CONGRESSIONAL RACES

SeatDemocratRepublican

1st DistrictKostas Alexakis*Wayne Gilchrest

2nd District*C.A. Dutch RuppersbergerJane Brooks

3rd District*Benjamin CardinRobert Duckworth

4th District*Albert WynnJohn McKinnis

5th District*Steny HoyerBrad Jewitt

6th DistrictKenneth Bosley*Roscoe Bartlett

7th District*Elijah CummingsAntonio Salazar

8th District*Chris Van HollenChuck Floyd

Senate*Barbara A. MikulskiE.J. Pipkin

*Denotes incumbent

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